It has been asserted, countless times, that a photograph is worth a thousand words. And photog-raphy is an art hence photogra¬phers in the country have an arts group called Photographers As-sociation of Malawi (Photama). In this interview, TEMWANI MGUNDAengages Photama president, LUCKY MKANDAWIRE, on the association and other related issues.

She, indisputably, belongs to the rare species. She is a resolute vi¬sual artist - a career that from time immemorial has mainly been claimed by males. She passionately sculptures and paints her way to the top, creat¬ing works that are usually stylistic in nature – a mixture of naturalistic and abstract forms.

Minister of Tourism and Cul¬ture, Daniel Liwimbi, on Friday applauded Malian singer Salif Keita for taking his time to come to Malawi and perform. It was the first time for the Malian to perform in the country.

Malian afro-pop singer and songwriter Salif Keita was in Blantyre on Friday, perform¬ing at the French Cultural Centre but, sadly, the artist who is arguably one of Africa's stars of world music, left Malawi a frustrated soul as poor sound equipment spoiled what would other¬wise have been a completely dazzling concert.

She rides in the zone of being among the very few females who play musical instruments in the country. She is one woman who can challenge male drummers pound for pound, playing the drum alongside the percussion. Not an easy feat, this one.

As the Big Brother Africa (BBA) Stargame rolls on with another evic¬tion show tonight, Malawi's repre¬sentative Wati has been trying to find answers as to what Africa needs to vote for a person.

It is almost everything artistic un¬der one roof. If the outfit's mem¬bers are not engaged in musical, poetry and theatrical performances then they are either staging traditional dances or a story telling activity. And that is not all - they are also into the film making trade.

Although Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) often comes under fire for its biased reporting, there are other programmes on MBC radio which have played a crucial role in people's lives, chief among them Zokonda Amayi.

The arts industry has unquestionably transformed from being a world where artists could perform in market places just for fun, into an industry that brings with it fame and fortune.

At a time Malawi has plunged deep in a pool of socio-political woes, any artist who comes along with their work that merely recounts the status quo without even exhibiting elements of art is likely to ignite public applause.

Glamour, class and pomp characterised this year's Miss Malawi beauty pageant held last Friday at Capital Hotel's Marquee in Lilongwe.

The road to Blantyre City's location of Sigerege is dusty and bumpy during the dry season and it gets muddy and rutted when rains fall.

At first, it was located in modest premises at the centre of the then small Blantyre City, hence its name Central Bookshop. This is what TEMWANI MGUNDA found out when he had a chat with the bookshop's owner MARGRIET SACRANIE.

She first came to Malawi in 2002. She was born and raised a Czech. But she comfortably sings in Chichewa and this has mystified audiences during her performances at events like the Lake of Stars, Blantyre Arts Festival and Doogles Lodge cultural evenings.

They were boys then but they later graduated into the men that they are today. They were students then but now they are into law, teaching, journalism and many other trades.

He has been longer at this game of the stage. He is a perennial actor who, having launched his acting career at Malawi's first professional English drama outfit Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre, is now with Nanzikambe Arts, currently the country's leading theatre group.

Last Wednesday, Dikamawoko Arts staged its latest production, Tubes And Containers, as part of a cultural evening at Doogles Lodge in Blantyre.

He was elected Musicians Association of Malawi [Mam] president in absentia last month. At that material time he was in the United States of America, attending the Congress of Authors and Composers of Music in Chicago. Now that he is back, what does Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango say on his ascendancy to the hot seat in Mam? “The association is not a one man thing. It’s about all musicians coming together.

Through this week’s entry I want to acknowledge the work of various artists. Undoubtedly, forms of artistry ranging form music, films, drama, poetry, to mention but a few, keep our lives smooth sailing. I mean whenever we have enough of the pressures of life, we always resort to these forms of entertainment, hoping to get some solace, information as well as education.

She had been standing there by the roadside for two hours. She was about to give up when a white Toyota Corolla abruptly pulled up a few metres from where she stood. Hurrying towards the car, she beamed radiantly. She opened the other door and sat on the passenger’s seat nonchalantly. “Good evening,” the driver greeted her as the car surged forward and caught speed. “Good evening.” She looked at his pencil moustache furtively and sat back.